We recently spoke with Dr Michael Hodge, data scientist, who has recently created a really helpful method to get notified when fast track/premium appointments are available.
If you need to get your passport quickly you have 2 options.
1 Week Fast Track (Passport delivered to you within 7 days)
- Get a paper application form from a Post Office – you cannot apply online.
- Book an appointment online and pay the fee.
- Fill in your application form and gather your documents before your appointment.
Online Premium Service (You get your passport at your appointment)
You’ll apply, pay and book an appointment online. The earliest you can get an appointment is 2 days from when you apply.
You’ll get your new passport at your appointment. Appointments can last up to 30 minutes.
For both of these methods you need to book an appointment at a Passport Office. The big problem people are facing is that you can not book an appointment due to the demand. When you click on the HMPO link you get the message “Sorry, there are no appointments available”
Michael, the data scientist, set up a bot after his mother faced issues with a passport application earlier this year.
The bot checks the Government website every 60 seconds and issues a Twitter alert when Premium and Fast Track slots are available.
Slots generally become available at a random time on Monday and Friday and unless you snap one up within a few minutes, you will end up out of luck.
Dr Hodge said he’d found that appointments in London are hardest to get while Glasgow and Belfast are more likely options.
The Twitter account is @ukpassportcheck and we recommend following to increase your chances of getting an appointment as soon as they are made available. Once you have followed the account set your Twitter notifications to notify you when the account Tweets.
I got desperate and had only 5 weeks until I needed my passport for travel. I decided to risk it and do it online because I had no other option. I put a note inside that I was travelling in Mid July. I had to post off my passport the same day as I submitted the online application. I think from postage to receiving my passport all completed was about 16 days. They acknowledged receipt of the passport and kept me informed: posted Thursday, arrived Friday by tracked mail, acknowledged Tuesday, following week got the approval on Monday, out for printing Wednesday, received by post on Friday). I had previously spoken to someone in the passport office who advised against this route and said to wait for a slot but added that the last available slot had been on the Monday after the jubilee in June and that was the first one since May! I just couldn’t wait. I will be doing the rest of the family online as it was super efficient.
Been waiting since may 11th. Passport even sent to Durham. Was told I was eligible for a fast track upgrade as have proof of travel within 2 week. I emailed Durham with all the details and was told would be called back within 48 hours. No call back. Rang again today was told they would put a urgent call back request to Durham to contact me in the the next 48 hours. I now have 11 days before I travel and no closer to getting my passport
Thanks Andy for mentioning us here!
Michael
@ukpassportcheck